*NOVENA TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS* *Day One* *Scripture reading: Mark 10:46–52* They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. *REFLECTION; WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?* Blind Bartimaeus sat in darkness every day as the busy world passed by. Then, one great day Jesus, the Son of David passed by. That day everything would change. The blind man was a helpless beggar, but he had faith and he would not stop shouting out to Jesus; ‘have pity on me.’ When he was called forward he immediately threw off his cloak – his guarantee of warmth and shelter – his faith was so strong that something better, something amazing lay ahead. During this novena to the Sacred Heart, Jesus invites each of us to come to him with our needs, fears, and hopes. Like Bartimaeus, we are called to approach Jesus with boldness and faith, trusting him to heal and change our lives. Over these nine days we imagine ourselves drawing close to Jesus and hearing Him ask the same question: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ *Let us pray* Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have mercy on us poor sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours. Amen